“I shall not die; but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” Psalm 118:17
Covid -19 has been with us for several years now. Originally, we were told it would be around for two weeks, then it was all summer, then through the end of 2020. Unfortunately, as of May, 2021, the pandemic is still with us. Many have their own horror stories or know of loved ones who died alone in hospitals and nursing homes, away from family members. It has been a crushing blow to many families. I have my own Covid story, a very scary time when I faced my own mortality, but I saw the Lord’s tender care each day, He was my Rock!
I was first diagnosed on Wednesday, April 14 at an Urgent Care clinic near my house. The doctor took an X-ray of my lungs and told me I had the characteristic signs of Covid Pneumonia. She gave me an antibiotic and steroid and sent me home. I had gotten the Johnson vaccine a few days before so I really believed my fever was due to the vaccine, however that was not the case. By Saturday, I couldn’t breathe and my daughter took me to the ER at Flower Hospital. They did a few tests and decided to admit me. It was a relief to be in capable professional hands! The next days went quickly by. I received my first dose of Remdesivir that night, the first of 5 IVs. I hardly slept the first two nights I was there, just could not relax in those hard beds, nurses coming in and taking vitals, drawing blood and checking the drips of Remdesivir. I could hardly pray, I was so stressed! I began to think of my brothers and sisters in Christ who were praying for me when I was too sick to verbalize my thoughts. I could picture them “standing in the gap” for me and it gave me such peace and comfort. “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7.
I began to think over my life…. Would this be the end for me? I thought of my children and grandchildren having to go through my house with all my stuff. I felt sorry for them! I wasn’t afraid to die, I would meet my Savior, but they would grieve. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1. A song I had heard that week on my Christian radio station kept going over in my head, it’s title was, “The Goodness of God,” by Bethel music. The chorus is:
“And all my life you have been faithful, And all my life you have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able, Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”
I thought of my years and how God had been so faithful to me through the mountains and valleys and ups and downs of life, He never gave up on me.
“I love Your voice, You have led me through the fire,
In the darkest night, You were close like no other
I’ve known you as a Father, I’ve known you as a Friend
And I have LIVED in the goodness of God.”
Thank you for your prayers. I value all the prayer warriors who lifted me to the only One who has power to heal and redeem! I felt like I was sitting in God’s hands from the moment I got to the hospital, for the 11 days I was there, and as I recuperated at home. His tender care was so evident in the home care, the nurses and EMTs who helped me through the first 3 days. I can only praise Him for His goodness. And many thanks to son Mark who worked out of my dining room for 1 ½ weeks, and daughter Kris who spent a weekend with me. I’m very glad to be in the land of the living! “Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3.
Your friend, Jean